Messages from Leadership

Dear Pet Parents, Colleagues and Friends,

Human cancer treatment is a complex and multifaceted challenge. While significant progress has been made in recent years, there remains numerous obstacles to overcome, including the development of more effective therapies, minimizing side effects, and ensuring personalized treatments that address the unique needs of each patient. These challenges spurred the creation of the Veterinary Research and Oncology Clinic for companion animal treatment to explore new avenues for innovation by conducting parallel clinical trials in human and veterinary patients with spontaneous tumors.

The inception of this center was the result of significant brainstorming and strategic deliberation within the Department of Radiation Oncology. We will leverage our state-of-the-art radiation therapy units and expertise in focused ultrasound therapy to provide advanced and minimally invasive smart trial-based cancer treatments to veterinary patients. Uniquely situated within a medical school in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, our veterinary clinical trials will expand our research to benefit not only veterinary patients but also to contribute valuable insights and therapies to the field of human oncology.

UTSW is a leader in cancer research and treatments, and we are excited that these trial opportunities will be available to pets. Thank you for your support and interest in our mission. We look forward to the opportunities for collaboration and the positive impact our work will have on the broader medical landscape.

Robert Timmerman, M.D.
Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology

Dear Friends,

I am deeply honored to lead UT Southwestern's Veterinary Research and Oncology Clinic, a center built upon the profound belief that the boundaries between human and veterinary medicine are, in truth, quite permeable. Our motto is to provide the most cutting-edge clinical trials to veterinary patients with the highest ethical standards, always keeping the safety and well-being of our patients as our top priorities.

Each clinical trial will be conducted under UTSW-approved institutional animal care and adhere to rigorous protocols and guidelines to ensure the ethical conduct of our trials. The clinical veterinarian will seek expert opinions from a diverse range of human and veterinary medical experts to consider novel treatments for each patient, enriching the quality of care provided to our patients.

The Veterinary Research and Oncology Clinic's collaborative and knowledge-sharing approach will push the boundaries of what is possible for cancer therapy. We understand the bond between the pet parent and the pets and we are dedicated to treating them with the highest level of care. The trials, based on research and innovation, will continually enhance the quality of life for your beloved animals.

To the donors: your support is not merely an investment in our program, it is an investment in a brighter and healthier future for all. In the immediate future, we will establish ourselves as a leading center for veterinary cancer trials. In the long term, we will expand our clinical trials to benefit not only veterinary patients but also to contribute valuable insights and therapies to the field of human oncology.

Thank you for your support and interest in our mission.

Ashish Ranjan, B.V.Sc., Ph.D.
Vice Chair for Comparative Oncology & Research Innovations and Director of the Veterinary Research and Oncology Clinic